System and method for minimizing package delivery time

ABSTRACT

An inventive system for delivering packages includes a computer system for determining an optimum route for delivering the package, an electronic tag associated with the package including a first transceiver, and a signaling device. The inventive system also includes a base station having a second transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the first transceiver.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/289,138, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MINIMIZING PACKAGE DELIVERYTIME”, which was filed on May 8, 2001 by John Stevens, et al. andassigned to the present assignee, and which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system and method for deliveringpackages, and in particular, a system and method for delivering packageswhich reduces (e.g., minimizes) a delivery time.

2. Description of the Related Art

When a driver has many packages to deliver in a short period of time, itis important that the package be quickly located. In a typical deliveryvan, the packages have been pre-sorted into the approximate hour ofanticipated delivery. The driver has a printed list of addresses andnumber of items for each address. The driver drives along the streetsuntil he finds the address, parks the truck, and goes to the back oftruck with the printed list.

The driver then sorts through all the packages to find the packagehaving the correct name and address. The driver must also ensure that hehas located all of the packages to be delivered to that particulardestination. When the driver locates the packages, he must checkoff alist taken to the door at the destination address and obtain a signatureor some other indication that the package was delivered.

However, in such a conventional delivery system, locating the properpackages can be difficult. The packages may shift and are not easilylocated by the driver. Accordingly, the resulting delays cansubstantially increase the time taken for each delivery and therebyreduce the total number of deliveries that can be made during thedriver's delivery run.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, anddrawbacks of the conventional methods and structures, a purpose of theexemplary aspects of the present invention is to provide a system andmethod for reducing (e.g., minimizing) a delivery time.

The claimed invention includes an inventive system for deliveringpackages. The inventive system includes a computer system (e.g., locatedon a transport vehicle) for determining an optimum route for deliveringsaid package, an electronic tag associated with the package including afirst transceiver, and a signaling device. The inventive system alsoincludes a base station having a second transceiver for wirelesslycommunicating with said first transceiver (e.g., in order to reduce(e.g., minimize) a delivery time). In the inventive system, a signalingdevice may be activated when the package arrives at a destination, whichmay help the delivery driver to locate the package in the transportvehicle.

Further, computer system utilizes an electronic positioning system(e.g., a satellite based global positioning system) in order to locatethe transport vehicle in real time. Further, the computer system mayinclude a third transceiver for wirelessly communicating with the basestation and/or electronic tag.

The system may also include a container for housing the package. In thiscase, the electronic tag may be affixed to the container. The system mayalso include a loop antenna located in a transport vehicle whichdelivers said package. The electronic tag may store an identificationnumber which is unique to a package associated with the electronic tag.The base station may, therefore, wirelessly communicate with theelectronic tag using the loop antenna. For example, the base station maycauses the electronic tag to activate the signaling device when adestination is reached for a package associated with the electronic tag.

In another aspect, an inventive method for reducing (e.g., minimizing)package delivery time includes inputting a delivery address to acomputer system to determine an optimum delivery route, associating anelectronic tag with the package, placing the package on a transportvehicle, and activating a signaling device on the electronic tag whenthe transport vehicle arrives at a destination of the package associatedwith the electronic tag.

The claimed invention also includes a programmable storage mediumtangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executableby a digital processing apparatus to perform a method for reducing(e.g., minimizing) package delivery time.

With its unique and novel aspects, the claimed invention provides asystem and method which reduces a package delivery time, therebyresulting in lower cost to the delivery company and ultimately toconsumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other purposes, aspects and advantages will be betterunderstood from the following detailed description of the exemplaryaspects of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for reducing (e.g., minimizing) packagedelivery time according to the exemplary aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a container 200 for holding a package to bedelivered, according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an electronic tag 210 used in the inventive systemaccording to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the circuitry of the electronic tag 210 used in theinventive system according to the exemplary aspects of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of communications in the inventive system 100according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an electronic tag temporarily affixed to a package asused in the inventive system according to the exemplary aspects of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the inventive method according tothe exemplary aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive system100 for reducing (e.g., minimizing) package delivery time according tothe claimed invention.

Generally, the claimed invention includes a semi-automated deliverysystem that reduces (e.g., minimizes) the time required for a deliverydriver to deliver packages. The inventive system 100 may select anoptimum route for the driver, identify the correct packages to bedelivered at each destination, and verify that the package was actuallydelivered.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inventive delivery system 100 may utilize atwo-way inductive wireless communication system. Specifically, thedelivery system 100 includes an electronic positioning system 105 (e.g.,a satellite-based global positioning system (GPS)), to verify thelocation of the transport vehicle 145.

The delivery system 100 also includes a computer system 130 which may belocated, for example, on a transport vehicle 145 used to deliver apackage (e.g., packages). The computer system 130 may monitor thelocation of the transport vehicle using the electronic positioningsystem 105 (e.g., a GPS receiver may be located on the transport vehicle145). The inventive delivery system 100 may also include a base station120 which may wirelessly communicate with the computer system 100 on thetransport vehicle to optimize a delivery route.

The inventive system 100 may further include a container 200 (e.g., aplurality of containers) (e.g., bags or totes) which contains apackage(s) to be delivered to a destination using, for example, atransport vehicle. As shown in more detail in FIG. 2, the container 200.may be made from materials such as cloth (e.g., canvas) or plastic(e.g., nylon), and may include a support device 215 (e.g., a supportstrap) attached to the container 200 (e.g. at the top of the container)for easily storing the container (e.g., on a rack in a transportvehicle) and transporting the container 200 (e.g., by hand-carrying thecontainer).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a small electronic tag 210 (i.e.,electronic module) may be associated with a container. In addition, theelectronic tag (e.g., electronic module) 210 may also be similar in formand function to the electronic tag described in Stevens, et al., U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/474,353, entitled “TOTE-BASED WAREHOUSINGSYSTEM AND METHOD”, which was filed on Oct. 9, 2003, and the electronictag described in Stevens, et al., U. S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled “DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD USING AN ELECTRONIC TAG”,which was filed on Nov. 3, 2003, and which are commonly assigned withthe present application, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Further, the electronic tag 210 may be located, for example, in a smalltranslucent pocket 220 on the container 200. The tag may include asignaling device (e.g., a plurality of signaling devices) such as acolored (e.g., red or green) light emitting device 320 (e.g., a lightemitting diode (LED) or an audible signaling device). The electronic tag210 may also include a display 330 such as a liquid crystal display(LCD) for numeric or alphanumeric display, and a switch (e.g., pluralityof switches or buttons) 340 for controlling an operation of theelectronic tag 210.

FIG. 4 provides a more detailed description of the electronic tag 210.As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic tag 210 additionally may include aninexpensive processor 320 (e.g., a low powered four bit microprocessor),a memory device 330 (e.g., a random access memory (RAM)) or othernonvolatile memory device for storing a unique identification number.The identification number may be permanent, so that it can be changedonly with a special program and transmitter.

The electronic tag 210 may also contain a transceiver 350 (e.g., atwo-way communication chip) for allowing the electronic tag 210 towirelessly communicate (e.g., via a radio frequency (RF) link) withother objects, such as the base station 120. The two-way communicationschip may be, for example, a lowcost CMOS analog digital chip. Thetwo-way communications chip may be connected to orthogonal ferriteantennas 360 that are able to transmit and receive signals using lowfrequencies to the loop antenna (e.g., in the transport vehicle)wirelessly connected to the base station.

Further, a loop antenna 140 may be located on the transport vehicle 145in order to facilitate a two way communication between the electronictag(s) 210 and the base station 120. Although the loop antenna 140 isillustrated in FIG. 1 as surrounding the containers 200, this should notbe considered as limiting. For example, one of ordinary skill in the artwould readily understand that such a loop antenna may be much smallerand need only have a size sufficient for performing the tasks of theinventive system 100.

More specifically, the electronic tag 230 may wirelessly communicatewith the base station 120 via a bi-directional wireless link. Thewireless link may include, for example, a low frequency conductive looprequiring minimal power and allowing communication within apredetermined area. Further, the LCD 330 may be programmed to displayboth numeric as well as alphanumeric information transmitted to theelectronic tag (e.g., electronic module) via the base station 120. Thecircuitry may be solar powered or powered, for example, by a battery 370or other power source. Battery life using conventional alkalinebatteries is likely to exceed five years, and with AAA batteries thelife may be longer.

In the inventive system 100, the container 200 may be loaded with apackage(s), for example, at a distribution center or warehouse facility.The packages may then be transferred onto a transport vehicle where thepackages are sorted and placed (e.g., on shelves) in the transportvehicle. The location of the containers on the transport vehicle can berandom or predetermined.

The electronic tag 210 may be used to help direct the placement ofpackages at predetermined locations on the transport vehicle. Forexample, a package's proper location on the transport vehicle may bedisplayed on the LCD 330 so that it may be easily viewed, for example,by package handlers at the distribution center. For instance, thepackages may be sorted and shelved on the transport vehicle, forexample, by destination.

Further, the location of a package (e.g., location code) on thetransport vehicle may be determined so as to reduce (e.g., minimize)driver time. For example, the location may be determined based upon, forexample, the route the transport vehicle must take to deliver all thepackages.

The packages (e.g., containers) can be placed from left to right, frontto back, upper to lower or lower to upper or in any other order,according to such factors as the destination of the package or theanticipated time of delivery. For example, the earliest or closestdeliveries may start on the lower left side of the transport vehicle andproceed up and right along the wall of the transport vehicle so that thelatest or farthest deliveries would be located on the lower right sideof the transport vehicle.

Therefore, the delivery driver does not have to know what package is tobe delivered to a particular destination. Instead, the driver may make adelivery knowing, for example, a package located at a particularlocation on the transport vehicle is to be delivered to a particulardestination.

In addition, using the loop antenna 140, the base station 120 may pollall of the electronic tags 210 in the inventive system 210 in search ofa particular electronic tag 210 and communicate only with thatparticular tag. For instance, the base station 120 may poll each of theelectronic tags 210 located near (e.g., within range of) the loopantenna 140 on the transport vehicle 145. Thus, the base station 120 iscapable of placing specific information on the display 330,activating/deactivating the signaling device (e.g., flashing the lightemitting diodes 320), selectively activating the electronic tags 210contained in the containers 200 on the vehicle.

For instance, the GPS coordinates of a destination (e.g., deliveryaddress) may be known in advance. The containers with packages may beloaded onto racks at a distribution center and placed in the transportvehicle. The loop antenna 140 may, for example, be wired around the backand/or top of the rack holding the containers. The loop antenna 140 iswirelessly connected to the base station 120 which can transmit andreceive (e.g., via RF link) to the electronic tags 210 included in theloop.

The electronic tags 210 may have unique identification numbers. Thus,the base station 120 may poll the electronic tags 210 in the loop (e.g.,in the transport vehicle) for a specific identification number, and thencommunicate only to that specific electronic tag. For example, the basestation may place specific information on the display of the electronictag, and/or activate or deactivate the signaling device (e.g., LED),while selectively polling the electronic tags.

The containers may be packed in an optimal manner at the distributioncenter using a similar arrangement. For example, an optimal route may becalculated using the electronic positioning system 105 for thedestinations (e.g., delivery addresses) of the container. A sequencenumber may be displayed on the electronic tag 210 indicating therelative positions for containers in the transport vehicle.

Alternatively, the route may be calculated and a specific position forplacing the container in the transport vehicle may be displayed on theelectronic tag's display (e.g., LCD). Further, the container with thefirst destination may be placed on the first rack, on the first hook,the second container can be placed on the same rack on the same hook, athird container on the next hook, and so on. These shelf positions maybe indicated by a sequence of digits, one-one, one-two, and so on.

Further, the inventive system 100 may include several hardware andsoftware components. As shown in FIG. 5, routing software 510 (e.g.,executed by the computer system 130) may be used to calculate an optimalroute based on the GPS coordinates of the destination (e.g., thedelivery address where the package is to be delivered).

A global positioning system 520 (GPS), may detect the location of atransport vehicle in realtime. A mapping guidance system 530 may also beused to direct the driver to the correct address. This is particularlyimportant if the system is used for nighttime delivery when addressesand street signs are not normally visible. A database 540 holding thecorrect container and the ID for the tag attached to the container plusthe GPS address is also stored on the computer 130 (as shown in FIG. 1).

The computer 130 may also include, for example, a display 545 (e.g., alaptop computer with a flat panel display) which may be located (e.g.,temporarily located) near the delivery driver in the transport vehicle.In addition, the computer 130 may include a transceiver 550 (e.g., RFtransmitter and receiver) for wirelessly communicating with otherobjects, such as the base station 120.

The base station 120 similarly may include a transceiver allowing it towirelessly communicate with the electronic tags 210 in the inventivesystem 100 by the unique ID number of the tags. Thus, the inventivesystem 100 can activate a signaling device (e.g., an LED) on aparticular container 200 or package when the delivery driver arrives atthe destination for that particular package.

The inventive system 100 may also determine an optimal route for thetransport vehicle. An optimal route may be used, for example, to reduce(e.g., minimize) time or distances traveled by the transport vehicle.The optimal route may be determined, for example, using the electronicpositioning system 105 (e.g., GPS) and the coordinates or addresses ofeach package's destination.

The optimal route may be, for example, input into the computer system130 which may also be located on the transport vehicle. The ID numbersof the electronic tags 210 can also be loaded into the computer system130. The GPS system can also be used to guide the transport vehicle to apackage's destination via a map, or other conventional routing software.When the transport vehicle arrives at a package destination, thecomputer system 130 can alert the driver, for example, audibly or bydisplaying a text message on the computer system display 545. Themessage to the driver may include, for example, the destination address,the number of packages to be delivered, and the package's location onthe transport vehicle.

In addition, the computer system 130 (or the base station 120 by usingthe loop antenna 140) may cause the electronic tag 210 on the container200 in which the package is located, to be activated so as to facilitatelocating the package by the driver. For example, the signaling device(e.g., light emitting device or audible device or combination thereof)on the electronic tag 210 may be activated so that the driver can easilylocate the package. The driver can locate the container 200 with theactivated signal (e.g., a flashing light), remove the package from thecontainer 200 and deliver it to its destination.

The driver may also activate the switch 340 (e.g., a button) on theelectronic tag 210 to indicate that the package has been properlydelivered to its destination. In addition, if for some reason thepackage could not be delivered, the driver may place the package backinto the container and activate a switch (e.g., on the container) toindicate that delivery was attempted but unsuccessful.

Further, additional information can be displayed on the LCD 330 of theelectronic tag 210 at different times. For example, after the container200 is loaded on the transport vehicle, the number of packages containedin the container 200 can be displayed so the driver can periodicallycheck the contents of each container 200.

Furthermore, when the container 200 is empty, the driver may deactivatethe electronic tag 210 using an activation switch 340 (e.g., a button)on the electronic tag 210. The electronic tag 210 may also beautomatically deactivated, for example, by placing the container 200and/or the electronic tag 210 at a particular location on the transportvehicle which may house a short-range antenna emitting a deactivationsignal. In addition, the computer system 130 wirelessly communicateswith the electronic tag and may, therefore, detect that the container isno longer in use.

The container 200 used by the inventive system may include, for example,a tote. In this case, the electronic tag may be located, for example, onthe front of the tote. In addition, a simple, inexpensive electronic tagmay contain a single LED to facilitate locating the package by thedelivery driver.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an electronic tag 601 may be placed, forexample, not on the container but instead, directly on the package 605.In this case, the driver may remove the tag 601 as the package isdelivered to its destination, and place the tag in a special binlocated, for example, in the transport vehicle. Further, the electronictag 601 may be placed on the package using an adhesive pouch 610 havinga plastic window.

Tag 601 might be very flat like a credit card with only a single lightemitting diode 620, and a small switch 630 (e.g., button) and in allother respects is the same as the electronic tag 210 in FIGS. 3 and 4.The switch 630 may be used for confirmation delivery, or alternativelyto allow the tag 601 to be used as an access card to open an electronicdrop box at the package's destination.

For example, the driver may activate the switch 630 (e.g, push a button)on the tag to gain access to the drop box. The tag 210 on the packagewirelessly communicates with the drop box causing the drop box tounlock. After the driver places the package 605 in the drop box, the tag210 may be removed and placed in a bin located, for example, on thetransport vehicle. In addition, the driver may deactivate the tag 210 toindicate that the tag 210 is no longer in use and/or that the package605 was properly delivered, using the switch 630 on the electronic tag210. Further, the tag may include a memory which records, for example,the date and time that the tag was used to open the drop box.

The claimed invention also includes an inventive method 700 fordelivering packages. As shown in FIG. 7, the inventive method 700 mayinclude inputting (710) delivery addresses to a computer system todetermine an optimum delivery route. The inventive method 700 alsoincludes associating (720) an electronic tag with the package, placing(730) the package on a transport vehicle, and activating (740) asignaling device on a particular electronic tag when the transportvehicle arrives at a destination of a package contained within acontainer having that particular electronic tag.

With its unique and novel aspects, the claimed invention provides asystem and method which reduces (e.g., minimizes) a packaging deliverytime, thereby resulting in lower cost to the delivery company andultimately to consumers.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedabove, it should be understood that it has been provided as an exampleonly. Thus, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Further, Applicant's intent is to encompass the equivalents of all claimelements. No amendment to any claim in the present application should beconstrued as a disclaimer of any interest in or right to an equivalentof any element or feature of the amended claim.

1. A system for delivering a package comprising: a computer system fordetermining an optimum route for delivering said package; an electronictag associated with said package comprising: a first transceiver; and asignaling device; and a base station comprising a second transceiver forwirelessly communicating with said first transceiver.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said signaling device is activated whensaid package arrives at a destination.
 3. The system according to claim1, wherein said computer system is located on a transport vehicle usedto transport said packages.
 4. The system according to claim 3, whereinsaid computer system utilizes an electronic positioning system in orderto locate said transport vehicle in real time.
 5. The system accordingto claim 4, wherein said electronic positioning system comprises aglobal positioning system.
 6. The system according to claim 4, whereinsaid computer system comprises a third transceiver for wirelesslycommunicating with at least one of said base station and said electronictag.
 7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a containerfor housing said package, wherein said electronic tag is affixed to saidcontainer.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electronictag is affixed directly onto said package.
 9. The system according toclaim 1, further comprising: a loop antenna located in a transportvehicle which delivers said package, wherein said base stationwirelessly communicates with said electronic tag using said loopantenna.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said base stationcauses said electronic tag to activate said signaling device when adestination is reached for a package associated with said electronictag.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said electronic tagsstores an identification number which is unique to a package associatedwith said electronic tag.
 12. A method for reducing package deliverytime comprising: inputting a delivery address to a computer system todetermine an optimum delivery route; associating an electronic tag withsaid package; placing said package on a transport vehicle; andactivating a signaling device on said electronic tag when said transportvehicle arrives at a destination of said package associated with saidelectronic tag.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein saidsignaling device comprises one of a light emitting device and an audibledevice.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein an electronicpositioning system is used to locate a transport vehicle delivering saidpackage in real time.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein saidelectronic positioning system comprises a global positioning system. 16.The method according to claim 12, wherein said transport vehiclecomprises a computer system which wirelessly communicates with at leastone of said base station and said electronic tag.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 12, wherein said package is housed in a container,and wherein said electronic tag is affixed to said container.
 18. Themethod according to claim 12, wherein said electronic tag is affixeddirectly onto said package.
 19. The method according to claim 12,wherein said transport vehicle comprises a loop antenna, and wherein abase station wirelessly communicates with said electronic tag using saidloop antenna.
 20. A programmable storage medium tangibly embodying aprogram of machine-readable instructions executable by a digitalprocessing apparatus to perform a method for reducing package deliverytime, said method comprising: inputting a delivery address to a computersystem to determine an optimum delivery route; associating an electronictag with said package; placing said package on a transport vehicle; andactivating a signaling device on said electronic tag when said transportvehicle arrives at a destination of said package associated with saidelectronic tag.